Page 86 of Summer Nights

"I think she's in the common room," Cooper said as we continued walking to the room toward the right of the building. This one had large windows that showcased the side garden. He paused in the doorway, and a bunch of people yelled, "Suprise!"

I looked at Cooper in confusion. "It's not my birthday."

He grinned. "It's your baby shower."

I followed his gaze to the sign that said Baby Shower. There were balloons and streamers everywhere, including the lanterns we'd assembled for Brady and Hazel's recent engagement party.

"This wasn't necessary—" I began, as a few older women approached: Mabel, Blaire, Edith, and Sofia.

Mabel clapped her hands together. "We love any chance to have a party. When we heard that you needed a shower, we were happy to host."

I didn't ask for a shower, but all I could do was look at Cooper for assistance. He was no help because he'd covered his mouth with his hand, and I was fairly sure he was hiding a laugh.

"This is lovely, thank you."

Edith touched my stomach. "Everyone knows that carrying high is a boy."

Blaire waved a hand. "You carry your first baby high. Then your muscles get weaker and more stretched out, so your second one is lower. It has nothing to do with the sex."

The women bickered about the sex of our child, and I poked Cooper. "Did you know about this?"

"Of course I did. I was tasked with getting you here." He pulled me close, and I looked up at him. "I didn't ask for a shower."

He lowered his head. "But everyone wanted to celebrate us and this sweet baby you're carrying."

Tears sparked in my eyes because this baby wasn't even born yet and so many people supported us. It also touched me how Cooper spoke about our child. He always had a positive thing to say, and he'd speak to the baby, saying how he couldn't wait to meet him. How could my dad have thought the opposite? I tried to remind myself that his leaving had nothing to do with me, but it was hard.

"Hey, stop hogging our girl," Elena said, grabbing my hand and tugging me away from Cooper.

I wasn't a fan of being the center of attention, although I couldn't ever remember a party that was thrown in my honor. This had to be a first.

"Were you part of this?" I asked her.

Elena grinned. "Well, the ladies"—she pointed in the direction of Mabel, Blaire, Edith, and Sofia—"took the lead, but we helped."

I held myself stiff, looking around the room at the sheer number of people who were there. "I want to be mad at you."

Elena pulled me in for a hug. "Get over it."

Then Daria hugged me. "You deserve this."

"Yeah, you're always doing so much for us," Hazel added, and I knew she was talking about how I helped her plan a party to get Brady back. Surely, I could get through the shower without too much trouble.

They directed me to a large chair by a table piled high with gifts. A smaller table off to the side had a pink and blue frosted cake.

"We're here to celebrate you and this precious baby. Everyone wanted to get you something," Mabel said to me.

"We're going to open presents now?" I just remembered I'd never been to a shower before.

As she handed me a box, Elena said, "You open, and I'll write down who it's from so you can write a thank-you."

My palms were clammy as I opened the first one. I held up a yellow onesie that took my breath away. How was I going to be responsible for something this small?

Joy sat close by. "I wasn't sure of the gender so wanted to get you something that could work for either."

I sniffed. "Thank you."

Hazel appeared with another chair, and Cooper sat next to me. I smiled gratefully at him. I wasn't sure that men attended baby showers, but I could use his support. It took some of the focus off me.

---